Telefilm Canada loses chair, key exex

LaPierre ankles, two exex to leave in July

MONTREAL — Laurier LaPierre has quit as chairman of Telefilm Canada, the most important public film and TV funding agency in the Great White North, after being appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

Wednesday’s news couldn’t be worse for Telefilm, which will now lose its three top execs in the coming weeks.

Executive director Francois Macerola steps down July 4, and director of Canadian operations Peter Katadotis leaves the agency July 13.

The shuffle comes during a key period for Telefilm. The agency has a new C$100 million ($65 million) film fund to administer, double its previous budget, and aggressive plans to make more commercial pics and increase the market share for Canuck films to 5% of box office in the country.

“It’s not ideal, but it doesn’t mean chaos at Telefilm Canada,” said spokesman Jeanine Basile. “We have a highly experienced management team and the funds and programs are well-defined. So it’s business as usual even though the three honchos are leaving.”